Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Goop Scoop!

I hope you enjoy this post as it makes me smile just to write it. :-)

Yesterday, August 25th, was my mother's birthday ( go here to see her picture). We will celebrate the next time I go home to visit in a month or so. In the meantime, I thought I would bake up one of the things that we (my brother, sister and I) would request as a treat for our birthdays. While her chocolate mayonnaise cake was delicious, for me and my brother, nothing could beat her CHOCOLATE GOOP!! Yes, I know it doesn't sound very elegant but the taste is rich, chocolaty and scrumptious!! It was a recipe from a 1950's cookbook and was called Butter Crunch Crust but we always called it Chocolate Goop. I have no memory of how it got that name. I only remember the taste. ;-)

I haven't made this in several years because when I make it, I generally eat the whole thing. That's not good as it makes a 9 x 13" pan of Goop. But today was Tea Time so I wanted a special treat. Plus, I need a dessert for our crazy quilting meeting tomorrow night so unless I get totally out-of-hand with my Goop cravings, there should be plenty left for tomorrow night!!

This afternoon, I sat down with a good-sized portion and my favorite cup of tea. I added a good book and some fabric for inspiration. What could be better? Hmmm, another slice of Goop!! Hee hee!! Seriously, though, there is nothing quite so good as a favorite piece of pie or cake or a cookie that recalls good times and good folks!!

Speaking of good times and good folks, you will find that in the book you see in the photo. My friend Arlis gave me the book "Aprons on the Line" for my birthday and it is a lovely story of an elderly lady named Virginia who learns to see life anew after a stroke. I highly recommend it. And interestingly, author Traci DePree is a Minnesotan and has other titles that are just as good. Be sure to check it out at your local library.

There's one final charming item in this photo and it's that pack of fabrics, Charm squares by Moda. Instead of a project this month I thought I would offer up a little prize. Several weeks ago, I bought two of these packs at Firefly Quilt Shop and I'm keeping one for me and the other one................will be won by one of you reading this post. Summer's coming to an end and I thought "why not give away a sort-of Last Rose of Summer" and that's what this fabric represents. All you have to do to win is leave your name (make sure your comment links back to your e-mail address or include it in your comment) and tell me what your favorite cup of tea is. And if you want more than one chance to win, then tell me what my favorite tea is and you'll get your name in the drawing twice! Comments must be left on this post and a winner will be announced on Friday at 6:00 p.m. August 28th.

Edit: It's Friday night and my husband has drawn the lucky winner........and it is.........Anett!! Congrats, Anett and thank you all for joining me for tea!

And in case you haven't heard enough about Goop, then read on.........because, you see, when my kids were small, we had this old book and in it was this poem..........

The Goops they lick their fingers,And the Goops, they lick their knives,They spill their broth on the tablecloth,Oh!, they lead disgusting lives!

Well, that poem is 100 years old and if you want to learn more about the poem, it's author, minding your manners and more, then check out TheGOOPS. I think you'll enjoy the visit. :-)

Now would you like the recipe for Chocolate Goop............here it is..................

Such an enjoyable post - I think I am missing something as I have never tasted tea - where do I start. I think it is something I would enjoy as coffee is not to my liking. In Texas, iced tea seems to be the drink.

I just love it when I see your blog on my blog list. We loved the Goops when our kids were little too -funny how things like that catch on. I would make that chocolate goop but these days Don isn't allowed such sweets and it wouldn't be fair to tempt him - but we'll have a cup of our favorite White Tea - every so lovely and delicate - and might we offer you a cup of Earl Grey - we like that too.

I like Earl Grey but I also like nearly all the fruit-flavored teas by STASH (appropriate tea company for a quilter, don't you think??) I especially favor their mango flavor and also have lately taken to their raspberry & white tea flavor.....but I find all their fruity flavors very nice for hot tea AND to make iced tea, also. I love your monthly tea and stitches post and would love to have the charm squares, so enter me for the drawing, okay?

Tea, tea, tea! I love tea! Lately I like No 10 from Murchies: http://www.murchies.com/...But my everyday tea that I prefer is a cheap Zellers tea, I always go back to that. I'm pretty sure that you enjoy Earl Grey. I like that too! Tea soothes the soul and is instantly calming.

Hi Sandi -- the choc.goop looks yummy--can't wait to try the recipe. thanks for including that.

I'm a bit fickle on my favorite tea -- it changes,as I like trying different varieties. Earl Grey and English Breakfast tea (both with a splash of milk) and Constant Comment (with just a tiny bit of sugar) tend to always be faves as others come and go.

I'm guessing that English Breakfast tea is your current favorite variety.

There are so many great tea options to choose from, think I'll go heat the kettle now. :o)

The lucky winner is Anett of House of Mouse! I was not able to include e4e8231 or MaryJB as your e-mail is not activated in your profile. Congrats to Anett and thank you all for joining me for tea. :-)

Oh my favorite tea is Earl Gray with Lady Gray a close second. So sharing a cup of tea with you would be wonderful as we both sip our favorite tea - Earl Gray - together and eat your Goop. I so enjoy reading your posts on Tea and Stitches, they brighten my day. Terri Drake - oneshawman@aol.com

A little stitching poem.........

This little poem was written for one of my beginning quilting students - only 8 years old but her stitches were those of a natural seamstress! For Bailey Anne . . . .When this you see, think of me.Sit down and have a cup of tea.Then place your quilt upon your lap,begin to stitch . . . no time to nap!Stitch patiently and you will see . . .how fine a quilter you can be!

For your personal use.........

All projects shown on this blog are for your personal use only and may not be copied and distributed to friends or in classes. Permission may be granted for classes but you must contact me with information on your proposed project. No items, photos or text may be copied and posted on any other blog or website. All photos/projects are copyright Sandra E. Andersen, 2009